“Pshh.” She rolls her eyes, returning both hands to the wheel. “Everyone drives like shit in Texas.” The car swerves again, and I snap my head in her direction. She shoots me a devious grin before righting the tires. “Now, where were we before you tried to deflect?”
I pick at my nails. “You were implying people don’t end up in this magical fucking town by choice.”
Faith snorts—great, I’m a fucking joke to her. Before I can retreat completely, Faith wiggles her fingers in my face, pulling me back. “Everyone who ends up here hates it here. It’s part of the charm of Moztecha.” I open my mouth to say something,anything,but she forges on. “You’re wrong about Mateo. He doesn’t love it here. He loves the woman who lives here because it’s the only safe place she’s ever known, and he’d do anything for her.”
There’s a weighted silence. I never even thought of it that way, and part of me shrivels at the idea of Mateo loving Adalene so much. I’ve never known that kind of love or devotion.
“He’s not the only man who’s given up everything to live here,” she whispers, and I nod.
“McCrae’s brother, Augustus.”
Faith’s eyes narrow, her head tipping to the side slightly as she flicks her gaze between mine and the road. She slowly nods. “Sure.”
I face the window once more. “Where’s there even to go in Moztecha for shopping?” Ever since Faith made the ridiculous suggestion to take me shopping for ranch-worthy clothing, I’ve been secretly looking forward to it. Shopping is something I’m good at—something I’ve always enjoyed, something I’ve used as a form of therapy.
But I’ve never shopped in a town as small as Moztecha for clothes that are ultimately meant to get trashed. That seems like a challenge, and I prefer to stick within the boundaries of things I’m good at.
Not that I’ve had much of a choice lately.
“Ha, you’ll love this. We’re going to start at the Tractor Supply store.”
I turn to stare at her. “You’re mocking me now.”
She smiles widely, her cheekbones tinging pink, and it’s so damn infectious, I almost smile back.Almost.
Instead of responding, though, we pull into a large parking lot, red dust billowing around us, the sign on the building clearly reading ‘Tractor Emporium’, and my jaw drops.
“I’d never lie to you.” I jolt both at the words and the hand Faith places over my wrist, and I quickly pull away. I want a friend, but that doesn’t mean I know how to be one—or have one, for that matter.
Regret instantly fills me. For half a second, I worry she’ll get upset at my dismissal, my deeply buried need to please everyone rearing it’s ugly head.Always the happy, confident one, Faith doesn’t skip a beat, jumping out of the SUV with a giggle. I quickly follow, starring skeptically at the building, at the various old men and women—dressed in their dust-covered button downs and overalls—starring right back at me.
I look down at my clothing choices for today: my only pair of blue jeans, high top sneakers, and a lacy blue camisole with a neckline I’d have never considered low-cut until this very moment.
“Come on.” Faith grabs my wrist again and begins to drag me behind her. I don’t pull away this time, secretly finding comfort in the confidence with which she handles me. No one treats me like she does—all too afraid of breaking me…or being broken by me.
“Remember, we’re looking for jeans, tank tops or t-shirts, whichever tan line you’d prefer, a button up for extra-long sunny days, and at least one pair of boots.” She faces me, winking. “And maybe a hat, if you’re feeling naughty.”
I smirk at that, unable to help myself. “You think I’m the naughty type, Faith?”
She releases my wrist as we walk into the building, and I briefly miss her touch. Before I can think much about it, I’m assaulted with a blast of cold air, and then the overwhelming smell of barn—or what I’ve come to learn is shavings and animal feed.
Her eyes flick to my chest a second before she laughs. “I can see your pierced nipples, Valentina. None of the girls at church who I know have those.”
A more reserved person would likely be embarrassed, but that’s not me—I’m bold and defiant, even when I secretly want to hide. But nothing about her observation seems like a dig, and if my ears are right, I even detect some awe in her voice.
“I could go with you to get yours done.”
The skin on her neck and cheeks instantly pinkens as she starts handing me various pairs of jeans to try on. Once she’s handed me a pile, she turns, her lip between her teeth. “Promise?”
Unable to help myself, I bark a laugh, and her face reddens further, her smile breathtaking. I nod. “You’re not afraid of anything.”
“What’s the fun in that?” She scoffs, moving toward the shirts next.
“Okay, Faith. I promise.”
We’re almost back to the house, my hands full of bags, my cheeks aching from smiling, when Faith noticeably slows down. “What’s up?”
She shrugs, but there’s a mischievousness to her smile that makes me nervous. “What’s the deal with you and McCrae?”
